John Battaglia

I think this story brought clarity to the idea that ghost stories are often tied to unresolved emotions rather tha just physical places.

Abbie Callaway

What stood out to me was La Llorana's significance in Latin culture and how the story has multiple origins, with each having its own slight variations, all with the underlying theme of a cautionary tale. This resonated with me because the story highlights the grief of colonialism and how the story was later used to serve as a voice for oppressed Chicano women. Additionally, it allows people of Latin heritage to connect over their commonalities in culture, as exemplified through the exchange of a wave when the women honked at the car that had a sticker that said, "Honk if you've seen La Llorana."

I found it very interesting how La Llorona is almost a warning to unfaithful husbands. At least the way I read it, it felt like a cautionary tale warning men to be fully committed to their wives. Also, at the end of the story, people blame Tomasito's death on his heart, once again discrediting women's work. Could this story be about a grieving woman taking power the only way she knows how, by killing her children?

What I found interesting was all the different interpretations/retellings of the story. My favorite is the Venezuelan use as an allegory for the pain of colonialism and those lost through it. To me this interpretation is the most emotional with La Llorona being a mother who dies from grief after the death of her children.

Dilan Robbins

Mia

Lucy Helfenstein

What stood out to me was how the story had differences depending on some different countries, and also different lesson purposes in different versions. I thought the stronger link to a real life person was interesting and different than the other stories we have been talking about. Also the parts about how the interpretation of La Malinche had changed along with interpretations of the story made me think about many important purposes. This makes me think about how ghosts can help oral tradition and their importance in passing down culture.

It was really interesting to learn about the origins of La Llorona and how all the different manifestations of the story varied throughout history. Moreover, it was further absorbing because each story seemed to reflect the experiences of women during their own respective contemporary times. Lastly, I was able to relate my own experiences with childhood horror stories to La Llorona, as my brothers would often use Bigfoot as a tool for getting me to do things, just as La Llorana is similarly used as a tool in certain cultures.

2) I think a new "Bogey Man" figure could be associated with the ocean. A figure made of kelp and seaweed that deters kids from playing too close to the tide and being swept away from the coast.

I found it interesting how different cultures have their own versions of La Llorona and separate interpretations of what she and her story symbolize. In the post colonial era, her story showed the dominance that the majority has over marginalized groups like indigenous women. In Venezuela and within the "Azteca-Mexica culture" she's portrayed as a mother who's children were killed in war and symbolizes the sacrifice made to keep this culture free from colonization. In Mexico's central highlands, it was said that she warned them of war and conquest, whereas La Malinche shows her as a traitor for helping the colonists. Some believe her child drowned when crossing the border and looking for its father, and others may think the story is a cautionary tale for children to remain disciplined as well as choose a partner wisely. One man even interpreted her as a tortilla, due to her ability to remain multifaceted. La Llorona takes on many different roles and forms and has continuously adapted throughout history to become what's needed in the environment and teach people new lessons.

The variety of influences that have shaped the multifaceted figure of La Llorona stood out to me. Specifically, her connection to Aztec goddesses, in addition to ideas and stories introduced by the Spanish. In that way, the diversity of her origins/influences strengthen her meaning as a symbol of Indigenous cultures meeting colonial ones. I think that symbol is also enforced by how her interpretation has morphed over time, especially Chicana feminist interpretations.